Authentic Humility

Pride is the root cause of misery in every relationship. It’s the barrier between you and God. Humility is the antidote for pride. But humility is not something you feel – it’s something you do.

clothe yourselves with humility toward one another 1 Peter 5:5 NIV

Here are six steps to authentic humility:

Admit that you have pride –The first step on the road to humility is recognizing that pride is an issue. If you need help, check out last week’s blog Say No to Selfies

Always keep God’s grace in view –Humility is a side benefit of living with the awareness of complete indebtedness to God’s grace.

Cultivate a heart of gratitude – Humility recognizes that all the good in our lives is more than we deserve.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights James 1:17 NIV

Seek to live in total dependence upon God – Humility is the spontaneous recognition of mankind’s absolute dependence on his Creator. Truly humble people wake up every day and choose to rely on God’s wisdom and strength.

Be truly others oriented – Pride has a constant companion; it’s called selfishness. Humility, on the other hand, is always thinking about others.

True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. C.S Lewis

Follow the leader – One of the most startling revelations of the Bible is that God is a humble God. He humbled himself and came to earth as an infant, born in a manger. Jesus used the word to describe himself:

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls Matthew 11:29 NIV